What special fishing regulations apply at Wade Lake + Cliff Lake?

Wade Lake + Cliff Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Montana's statewide 2026 rules, covering Brown trout. One of them reads: "MT state-record brown trout 29 lb 0 oz Wade Lake 1966 (one of the largest brown trout state records in the country); combined trout under the Central District lake standard; manually-operated + electric-motor-only watercraft; spawning channel + inlet closed as posted." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Wade Lake + Cliff Lake?

Yes. Wade Lake + Cliff Lake is in Montana, so a valid Montana fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Wade Lake + Cliff Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Montana rules.

Do Wade Lake + Cliff Lake's special rules replace Montana's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Montana's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Wade Lake + Cliff Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Wade Lake + Cliff Lake?

Brown trout has a water-body-specific rule on Wade Lake + Cliff Lake, each linking to its full Montana regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Montana limits.

2026 regulation year

Wade Lake + Cliff Lake 2026 — Montana Fishing Regulations

Montana statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

Wade Lake + Cliff Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Montana's 2026 fishing rules — covering Brown trout. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

Get change alerts

Watch Wade Lake + Cliff Lake (MT) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

MT state-record brown trout 29 lb 0 oz Wade Lake 1966 (one of the largest brown trout state records in the country); combined trout under the Central District lake standard; manually-operated + electric-motor-only watercraft; spawning channel + inlet closed as posted
Source: Montana special-water list

Per-species rules on Wade Lake + Cliff Lake

Brown trout regulations →
Combined trout under the Central District lake standard (5 / day, 10 in possession); MT state-record brown trout 29 lb 0 oz Wade Lake 1966; electric-motor-only watercraft, spawning channel closed as posted

Official source

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) publishes the authoritative 2026 Montana fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Montana fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks's emergency-order feed — check it before any Montana trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Montana

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Wade Lake + Cliff Lake?: Wade Lake + Cliff Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Montana's statewide 2026 rules, covering Brown trout. One of them reads: "MT state-record brown trout 29 lb 0 oz Wade Lake 1966 (one of the largest brown trout state records in the country); combined trout under the Central District lake standard; manually-operated + electric-motor-only watercraft; spawning channel + inlet closed as posted." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Wade Lake + Cliff Lake?: Yes. Wade Lake + Cliff Lake is in Montana, so a valid Montana fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Wade Lake + Cliff Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Montana rules.
Do Wade Lake + Cliff Lake's special rules replace Montana's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Montana's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Wade Lake + Cliff Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Wade Lake + Cliff Lake?: Brown trout has a water-body-specific rule on Wade Lake + Cliff Lake, each linking to its full Montana regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Montana limits.

← Back to Montana regulations overview